07 - MOTORSPORT ROUND-UP - MOTORCYCLE

MotoGP - The Doctor dominates

There can be no denying that the start to the 2015 MotoGP season has been sensational. Reigning champion Marc Márquez has struggled to replicate his blistering pace of the last two years, taking only two wins so far on the once dominate Repsol Honda. It has been Yamaha who have shone brightest, and to the delight of his millions of loyal fans around the globe it is MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi who leads the way, having yet to finish off the podium...

Chasing the Italian star however is Yamaha team mate Jorge Lorenzo. The two time MotoGP Champion had somewhat of a slow start by his standards, but four back to back victories has seen him close the gap to Rossi with the battle looking set to go down to the wire.

World Superbikes - Turkish delight

Although factory Kawasaki star Jonathan Rea has dominated the series, the Öhlins equipped machines of Leon Haslam and Chas Davies have not made it easy for him. Red Devils Aprilia rider Haslam is enjoying his most successful season in a number of years having already taken one victory and a further six podiums. Putting Ducati back into contention, Davies is equally enjoying his best season, taking one victory and a further nine podiums.

In the lower capacity World Supersport Championship, Öhlins rider Kenan Sofuoglu leads the way having taken four victories so far this season aboard his Kawasaki ZX-6R. Fellow Turk Toprak Razgatlioglu has dominated the European Superstock 600 series, wrapping the title up at Misano.

Around the World…

It has been a fantastic start to the World’s major domestic motorcycle series’ for Öhlins, particularly in the newly established MotoAmerica Championship where the Monster Energy Yamaha duo of Cameron Beaubier and Josh Hayes have won every race so far this season aboard the all-new YZF-R1.

In the prestigious MCE British Superbike Championship, James Ellison on the JG Speedfit Kawasaki has enjoyed his strongest ever start to a season having taken three wins on the ZX-10R. Milwaukee Yamaha rider Josh Brookes also took an impressive double win last time out at Brands Hatch as his team continue to get to grips with the new YZF-R1.

Öhlins equipped machines are dominating the IDM series in Germany, with the BMW of Markus Reiterberger proving almost unbeatable so far this season whilst the 3C Ducati’s of Xavi Forés and Lorenzo Lanzi sit in second and third place in the standings.

Elsewhere, Öhlins is enjoying success with Gregory LeBlanc in the French Superbike series, with the SRC Kawasaki rider leading the way, and Massimo Roccoli leading the Supersport 600 Championship in Italy.

On the dirt, Öhlins has taken victory on the world stage with Max Anstie and the Monster Energy Kawasaki Dixon Racing Team, with the young rider also leading the British MX2 series. The Bid Racing team in France has taken victory in their home series in the MX1, MX2 and 85cc categories whilst Öhlins has also secured the MX championship in Portugal.